The camp based in Bhamo (also called  Manmaw) district's Nam Lim Pa was captured by 300 troops from the Military Operation Command 21 (MOC-21). Soldiers allegedly  entered the camp  in Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) controlled territories  only minutes after a 10 vehicle convoy operated by Karuna Myanmar Social Services (KMSS) arrived, said Lahpai La Doi, from Kachin Independence Army's Battalion 12.

The KIO avoided engaging with the government troops due to the heavy civilian casualties it would have likely caused. But heavy fighting broke out in the area the morning after government forces took control of the camp, lasting until midnight, said Maj. Labang Jawn Awng, a commander with KIA battalion 12. More clashes were reported this Monday at the nearby Kawng Ja Yang village. All the civilians have left the area and “more clashes will likely break out at any moment” the major said.

It’s believed some of the displaced are trying to reach a KIO controlled camp in Nbapa or a government controlled camp in Man Win near the China border. But as of Monday  there have been no reports of these civilians reaching these destinations, according to aid workers. Others are hiding in the jungle, with little more than the clothes on their back.

This is not the first time the army has used aid convoys seize territory. Earlier this year the Myanmar Times citing a leaked UN memo reported that the military had used UN aid convoys in Kachin state's jade rich Hpakant to capture territory from the KIO.  The memo penned by a senior UN official directing the UN’s relief program in Kachin State described “trucks with government soldiers taking advantage of the passage of the aid convoy to take new positions”.

More than 1,000 government troops from 20 battalions are thought to currently operating against KIA battalion 12,  Labang Jawn Awng said.